Benzenesulfonanilide compounds suitable for treating disorders that respond to modulation of the serotonin 5-HT6 receptor

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel benzenesulfonanilide compounds of the formulae I and I′ and physiologically tolerated acid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof. The compounds possess valuable therapeutic properties and are particularly suitable, for treating diseases that respond to modulation of the serotonin 5-HT 6  receptor. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             wherein 
             R 1  is hydrogen or methyl 
             R 2  is hydrogen or methyl 
             R 3  hydrogen, fluorine C 1 -C 2  alkoxy or fluorinated C 1 -C 2  alkoxy; 
             R 4  is hydrogen, C 1 -C 4  alkyl or fluorinated C 1 -C 4  alkyl; 
             R 5  is hydrogen, fluorine, C 1 -C 2  alkyl, fluorinated C 1 -C 2  alkyl, C 1 -C 2  alkoxy or fluorinated C 1 -C 2  alkoxy; and 
             R 6  is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/001,656 filed Nov. 2, 2007, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel benzenesulfonanilide compounds.The compounds possess valuable therapeutic properties and areparticularly suitable for treating diseases that respond to modulationof the serotonin 5-HT6 receptor.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a monoamine neurotransmitter andlocal hormone, is formed by the hydroxylation and decarboxylation oftryptophan. The greatest concentration is found in the enterochromaffincells of the gastrointestinal tract, the remainder being predominantlypresent in platelets and in the Central Nervous System (CNS). 5-HT isimplicated in a vast array of physiological and pathophysiologicalpathways. In the periphery, it contracts a number of smooth muscles andinduces endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In the CNS, it is believedto be involved in a wide range of functions, including the control ofappetite, mood, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep, vomiting and painperception.

Neurons that secrete 5-HT are termed serotonergic. The function of 5-HTis exerted upon its interaction with specific (serotonergic) neurons.Until now, seven types of 5-HT receptors have been identified: 5-HT₁(with subtypes 5-HT_(1A), 5-HT_(1B), 5-HT_(1D), 5-HT_(1E) and5-HT_(1F)), 5-HT₂ (with subtypes 5-HT_(2A), 5-HT_(2B) and 5-HT_(2C)),5-HT₃, 5-HT₄, 5-HT₅ (with subtypes 5-HT_(5A) and 5-HT_(5B)), 5-HT₆ and5-HT₇. Most of these receptors are coupled to G-proteins that affect theactivities of either adenylate cyclase or phospholipase Cγ.

The human 5-HT₆ receptors are positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase.They are distributed throughout the limbic, striatal and corticalregions of the brain and show a high affinity to antipsychotics.

The modulation of the 5-HT₆ receptor by suitable substances is expectedto improve certain disorders including cognitive dysfunctions, such as adeficit in memory, cognition and learning, in particular associated withAlzheimer's disease, age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitiveimpairment, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity syndrome,personality disorders, such as schizophrenia, in particular cognitivedeficits related with schizophrenia, affective disorders such asdepression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders, motion or motordisorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, migraine, sleepdisorders (including disturbances of the Circadian rhythm), feedingdisorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, certain gastrointestinaldisorders such as Irritable Bowl Syndrome, diseases associated withneurodegeneration, such as stroke, spinal or head trauma and headinjuries, such as hydrocephalus, addiction diseases and obesity.

WO 96/027081, WO 00/12623, WO 00/12073, US 2003/0069233, WO 02/08179 andWO 02/92585 disclose certain benzenesulfonanililde compounds having 5HT₆receptor antagonist activity and suggest the use of these compounds forthe treatment of medical disorders which are susceptible to thetreatment with 5HT₆ receptor antagonists such as certain CNS disorders,drug abuse, ADHD, obesity and type II diabetes. WO 2008087123 suggestscompounds having 5HT₆ receptor antagonist activity for preventingrelapse into addiction.

However, there is still an ongoing need for providing compounds havinghigh affinity for the 5-HT₆ receptor and which show high selectivity tothis receptor. In particular the compounds should have low affinity toadrenergic receptors, such as α₁-adrenergic receptor, histaminereceptors, such as H₁-receptor, and dopaminergic receptors, such asD₂-receptor, in order to avoid or reduce considerable side effectsassociated with modulation of these receptors, such as posturalhypotension, reflex tachycardia, potentiation of the antihypertensiveeffect of prazosin, terazosin, doxazosin and labetalol or dizzinessassociated to the blockade of the α₁-adrenergic receptor, weight gain,sedation, drowsiness or potentiation of central depressant drugsassociated to the blockade of the H₁-receptor, or extrapyramidalmovement disorder, such as dystonia, parkinsonism, akathisia, tardivedyskinesia or rabbit syndrome, or endocrine effects, such as prolactinelevation (galactorrhea, gynecomastia, menstruyl changes, sexualdysfunction in males), associated to the blockade of the D₂-receptor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide compounds which havea high affinity and selectivity for the 5-HT₆ receptor, thus allowingthe treatment of disorders related to or affected by the 5-HT₆ receptor.

The compounds should also have good pharmacological profile, e.g., agood bioavailability and/or a good metabolic stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that the benzenesulfonamide compounds of theformulae (I) and (I′) as defined herein, their physiologically toleratedacid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof exhibit to a surprising andunexpected degree, selective binding to the 5-HT₆ receptor. Therefore,the present invention relates to the compounds of formulae (I) and (I′)

-   -   wherein    -   R¹ is hydrogen or methyl;    -   R² is hydrogen or methyl;    -   R³ hydrogen, fluorine C₁-C₂ alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy;    -   R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or fluorinated C₁-C₄ alkyl;    -   R⁵ is hydrogen, fluorine, C₁-C₂ alkyl, fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkyl,        C₁-C₂ alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy; and    -   R⁶ is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; and to the physiologically        tolerated acid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof.

The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition whichcomprises at least one benzenesulfonanilide compound of the formulae (I)or (I′) and/or at least one physiologically tolerated acid addition saltof (I) or (I′) and/or at least one N-oxide of (I) or (I′), whereappropriate together with physiologically acceptable carriers and/orauxiliary substances.

The present invention further relates to the use of abenzenesulfonanilide compound of the formulae (I) or (I′) and/orphysiologically tolerated acid addition salts thereof and/or at leastone N-oxide of (I) or (I′), for preparing a pharmaceutical composition,optionally together with at least one physiologically acceptable carrieror auxiliary substance.

The compounds are selective 5-HT₆ receptor ligands. Thus the compoundsare particularly suitable for the treatment of disorders of the centralnervous system, addiction diseases or obesity, as these disorders anddiseases are likely to respond to influencing by 5-HT₆ receptor ligands.Therefore the present invention also provides a method for treatingdisorders in mammals, said method comprising administering an effectiveamount of at least one compound of the formula (I) or (I′) and/or atleast one physiologically tolerated acid addition salt of (I) or (I′)and/or at least one N-oxide of (I) or (I′) to a subject in need thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The diseases which are susceptible to treatment with abenzenesulfonanilide compound of the formulae (I) and (I′) include,e.g., disorders and diseases of the central nervous system, inparticular cognitive dysfunctions, such as a deficit in memory,cognition and learning, in particular associated with Alzheimer'sdisease, age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment,attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD), personalitydisorders, such as schizophrenia, in particular cognitive deficitsrelated with schizophrenia, affective disorders such as depression,anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders, motion or motor disorderssuch as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, migraine, sleep disorders(including disturbances of the Circadian rhythm), feeding disorders,such as anorexia and bulimia, certain gastrointestinal disorders such asIrritable Bowl Syndrome, diseases associated with neurodegeneration,such as stroke, spinal or head trauma and head injuries, includinghydrocephalus, drug addiction and obesity.

According to the invention, at least one benzenesulfonanilide compoundof the general formulae (I) or (I′) having the meanings mentioned at theoutset is used for treating the above mentioned diseases, disorders ormedical indications. Provided the compounds of the formulae (I) or (I′)of a given constitution may exist in different spatial arrangements, forexample if they possess one or more centers of asymmetry,polysubstituted rings or double bonds, or as different tautomers, it isalso possible to use enantiomeric mixtures, in particular racemates,diastereomeric mixtures and tautomeric mixtures, preferably, however,the respective essentially pure enantiomers, diastereomers and tautomersof the compounds of formulae (I) or (I′) and/or of their salts and/ortheir N-oxides.

It is likewise possible to use physiologically tolerated salts of thecompounds of the formulae (I) or (I′), especially acid addition saltswith physiologically tolerated acids. Examples of suitablephysiologically tolerated organic and inorganic acids are hydrochloricacid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid,C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonic acids, such as methanesulfonic acid, aromaticsulfonic acids, such as benzenesulfonic acid and toluenesulfonic acid,oxalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid,adipic acid and benzoic acid. Other utilizable acids are described inFortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung [Advances in drug research],Volume 10, pages 224 ff., Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel and Stuttgart, 1966.

It is likewise possible to use N-oxides of the compounds of the formulae(I) or (I′), if those compounds contain a basic nitrogen atom, such asthe nitrogen atom of the piperazine moiety.

The organic moieties mentioned in the above definitions of the variablesare—like the term halogen—collective terms for individual listings ofthe individual group members. The prefix C_(n)-C_(m) indicates in eachcase the possible number of carbon atoms in the group.

As used herein, C₁-C₄ alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl grouphaving 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such a group includemethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (isopropyl), n-butyl,1-methylpropyl (=2-butyl), 2-methylpropyl (=isobutyl) and1,1-dimethylethyl (=tert.-butyl).

As used herein, fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkyl is a straight-chain or branchedalkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, wherein at least one hydrogenatom, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 hydrogen atoms, are replaced by fluorine.Examples of such a group include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl,trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl,1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl and 1,1,2,2,2-pentafluoroethyl.

As used herein, fluorinated C₁-C₄ alkyl is a straight-chain or branchedalkyl group having 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, wherein at least onehydrogen atom, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 hydrogen atoms, are replacedby fluorine. Examples of such a group include fluoromethyl,difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl,2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl,1,1,2,2,2-pentafluoroethyl, 3-fluoropropyl, 3,3-difluoropropyl,3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl,2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl, 1,1,2,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropyl,2-fluoro-1-methylethyl, 2,2-difluoro-1-methylethyl,2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methylethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyletc.

As used herein, C₁-C₂ alkoxy is a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 or2 carbon atoms which is bound to the remainder of the molecule via anoxygen atom. Examples of such a group are methoxy and ethoxy.

As used herein, fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy is an alkoxy group as definedabove, wherein at least one, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 hydrogen atoms arereplaced by fluorine atoms. Examples of such a group are fluoromethoxy,difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy,2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy.

In the formulae I and I′, the integers “5” and “6” denominate positionsof the benzene ring.

A first preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compounds ofthe formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and tothe N-oxides thereof, wherein R¹ is hydrogen.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compounds ofthe formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and tothe N-oxides thereof, wherein R¹ is methyl.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of theformulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to theN-oxides thereof, wherein R² is hydrogen.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulaeI and I′, wherein R² is methyl. In the compounds, wherein R² is methyl,the carbon atom that carries R² creates a center of chirality. Thus, aspecific embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulaI, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxidesthereof, wherein R² is methyl and wherein the carbon atom that carriesR² has S-configuration. Another specific embodiment of the inventionrelates to compounds of the formulae I and I′, to theirpharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, whereinR² is methyl and wherein the carbon atom that carries R² hasR-configuration.

Likewise preferred are mixtures of compounds of the present invention,wherein the carbon atom that carries R² has S-configuration orR-configuration, respectively. These mixtures may contain equal amountsor non-equal amounts of the compound I, or equal amounts or non-equalamounts of the compound I′, respectively, that have R-configuration withregard to the moiety CH—R² and of the compound I or I′ that haveS-configuration with regard to CH—R².

The term “enantiomerically pure” means that the mixture contains therespective compound in an entaniomeric excess of at least 80%, inparticular at least 90% (ee).

Preference is given to compounds of the formulae I and I′, to theirpharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, whereinR³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy. Likewise preference is given to compounds of the formulae I andI′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxidesthereof, wherein R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen.

Preference is given to compounds of the formulae I and I′, to theirpharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, whereinR⁴ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 2-fluoroethyl or3-fluoropropyl. More preference is given to compounds of the presentinvention, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen.

R⁵ is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy andtrifluoromethoxy and more preferably from hydrogen, methoxy anddifluoromethoxy. In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention,R⁵ is hydrogen. In another particular preferred embodiment of theinvention, R⁵ is selected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl,methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably frommethoxy and difluoromethoxy.

R⁶ is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen andfluorine. In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention, R⁶ ishydrogen. In another particular preferred embodiment of the invention R⁶is different from hydrogen, in particular fluorine. If R⁶ is differentfrom hydrogen it is preferably located in the 5- or 6-position of thebenzene ring.

Preference is given to those compounds of the formulae I and I′, totheir pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof,wherein R³ is methoxy and R⁶ is hydrogen, or R³ is methoxy and R⁶ isfluorine being located in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring, orboth R³ and R⁶ are hydrogen or R³ is hydrogen and R⁶ is fluorine beinglocated in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring.

A particular preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compoundsof the formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts andto the N-oxides thereof, wherein

-   -   R¹ is hydrogen or methyl;    -   R² is hydrogen or methyl, in particular hydrogen;    -   R³ hydrogen, fluorine, C₁-C₂ alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy,        preferably hydrogen, methoxy, difluoromethoxy or        trifluoromethoxy, in particular hydrogen, methoxy;    -   R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or 3-fluoropropyl;    -   R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine,        methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and        trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from hydrogen, methoxy and        difluoromethoxy; and    -   R⁶ is hydrogen or fluorine, which is located in the 5- or        6-position of the benzene ring.

Amongst the compounds of this particular preferred embodiment,preference is given to those compounds of the formulae I and I′, totheir pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof,wherein R³ is methoxy and R⁶ is hydrogen, or R³ is methoxy and R⁶ isfluorine being located in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring, orboth R³ and R⁶ are hydrogen or R³ is hydrogen and R⁶ is fluorine beinglocated in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring.

A particular embodiment (1) of the invention relates to compounds of theformulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to theN-oxides thereof, wherein

-   -   R¹ is hydrogen or methyl;    -   R² is hydrogen or methyl, in particular hydrogen;    -   R³C₁-C₂ alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy, preferably methoxy,        difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy;    -   R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   R⁵ is hydrogen; and    -   R⁶ is hydrogen.

Another particular embodiment (2a) of the invention relates to compoundsof the formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts andto the N-oxides thereof, wherein R³ is hydrogen. In this particularembodiment, R⁶ is preferably hydrogen or fluorine, which is located inthe 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring.

Another particular embodiment (2b) of the invention relates to compoundsof the formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts andto the N-oxides thereof, wherein R³ is fluorine. In this particularembodiment, R⁶ is preferably hydrogen.

Another particular embodiment (3) of the invention relates to compoundsof the formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts andto the N-oxides thereof, wherein R⁴ is C₃-C₄ alkyl or fluorinated C₁-C₄alkyl.

Another particular embodiment (4) of the invention relates to compoundsof the formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts andto the N-oxides thereof, wherein R⁵ is selected from the groupconsisting of fluorine, C₁-C₂ alkyl, fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy, in particular selected from thegroup consisting of fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy,difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxyand difluoromethoxy.

Another particular embodiment (5a) of the invention relates to compoundsof the formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts andto the N-oxides thereof, wherein R⁶ is fluorine or chlorine, inparticular fluorine, wherein R⁶ is located in the 5-position of thebenzene ring. In this embodiment, R³ is preferably hydrogen, methoxy,difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular hydrogen or methoxy.

Another particular embodiment (5b) of the invention relates to compoundsof the formulae I and I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts andto the N-oxides thereof, wherein R⁶ is fluorine or chlorine, inparticular fluorine, wherein R⁶ is located in the 6-position of thebenzene ring. In this embodiment, R³ is preferably hydrogen, methoxy,difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular hydrogen or methoxy.

A particular preferred embodiment Ia of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment Ib of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment Ic of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is methyl;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment Id of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is methyl;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is methyl.

A particular preferred embodiment Ie of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment If of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment Ig of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is methyl;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment Ih of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is methyl;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is methyl.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih,preference is given to those, where the radicals R⁵ and R⁶ in formula Iare both hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih,likewise preference is given to those, where the radical R⁵ in formula Iis hydrogen and where the radical R⁶ in formula I is fluorine, which islocated in the 5-position or in the 6-position of the benzene ring.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih,likewise preference is given to those, where the radical R⁵ in formula Iis methoxy and where the radical R⁶ in formula I is hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih,likewise preference is given to those, where the radical R⁵ in formula Iis methoxy and where the radical R⁶ in formula I is fluorine, which islocated in the 5-position or in the 6-position of the benzene ring.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih,likewise preference is given to those, where the radical R⁵ in formula Iis difluoromethoxy and where the radical R⁶ in formula I is hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih,likewise preference is given to those, where the radical R⁵ in formula Iis difluoromethoxy and where the radical R⁶ in formula I is fluorine,which is located in the 5-position or in the 6-position of the benzenering.

A particular preferred embodiment I′a of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I′b of the invention relatesto compounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically toleratedsalts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is methyl;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I′c of the invention relatesto compounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically toleratedsalts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment I′d of the invention relatesto compounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically toleratedsalts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is methyl;

R³ is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particularmethoxy; and

R⁴ is methyl.

A particular preferred embodiment I′e of the invention relates tocompounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I′f of the invention relatesto compounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically toleratedsalts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is methyl;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I′g of the invention relatesto compounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically toleratedsalts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is hydrogen;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment I′h of the invention relatesto compounds of the formula I′, to their pharmacologically toleratedsalts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein

R¹ is hydrogen;

R² is methyl;

R³ is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and

R⁴ is methyl.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments I′a, I′b, I′c, I′d, I′e, I′f, I′gand I′h, preference is given to those, where the radicals R⁵ and R⁶ informula I are both hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments I′a, I′b, I′c, I′d, I′e, I′f, I′gand I′h, likewise preference is given to those, where the radical R⁵ informula I is hydrogen and where the radical R⁶ in formula I is fluorine,which is located in the 5-position or in the 6-position of the benzenering.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I, in particular amongst thecompounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih, particularpreference is given to those, wherein the OCHF₂-radical is located onthe benzene ring in the meta-position with respect to the sulfonylgroup. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given to thosecompounds of the formula I, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen. Amongst thesecompounds, likewise preference is given to those compounds of theformula I, wherein R⁵ is different from hydrogen and in particularselected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy,difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxyand difluoromethoxy, and located in the para-position, with respect tothe sulfonyl group, or in the para-position, with respect to theOCHF₂-radical.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I, in particular amongst thecompounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih, likewisepreference is given to those, wherein the OCHF₂-radical is located onthe benzene ring in the ortho-position with respect to the sulfonylgroup. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given to thosecompounds of the formula I, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen. Amongst thesecompounds, likewise preference is given to those compounds of theformula I, wherein R⁵ is different from hydrogen and in particularselected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy,difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxyand difluoromethoxy, and located in the para-position, with respect tothe sulfonyl group, or in the para-position, with respect to theOCHF₂-radical.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I, in particular amongst thecompounds of embodiments Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig and Ih, likewisepreference is given to those, wherein the OCHF₂-radical is located onthe benzene ring in the para-position with respect to the sulfonylgroup. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given to thosecompounds of the formula I, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen. Amongst thesecompounds, likewise preference is given to those compounds of theformula I, wherein R⁵ is different from hydrogen and in particularselected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy,difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxyand difluoromethoxy, and located in the meta-position, with respect tothe sulfonyl group.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I′, in particular amongst thecompounds of embodiments I′a, I′b, I′c, I′d, I′e, I′f and I′g,particular preference is given to those, wherein the sulfonyl group isattached to the benzene ring in the α-position with respect to the1,3-dioxole ring. Amongst these compounds, particular preference isgiven to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I′, in particular amongst thecompounds of embodiments I′a, I′b, I′c, I′d, I′e, I′f and I′g,particular preference is given to those, wherein the sulfonyl group isattached to the benzene ring in the β-position with respect to the1,3-dioxole ring. Amongst these compounds, particular preference isgiven to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen.

Examples of compounds according to the present invention are thecompounds of the formula I, their pharmacologically tolerated salts andthe N-oxides thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and the position ofthe moiety OCHF₂ on the benzene ring with respect to the sulfonyl groupis given in the following table A:

TABLE A No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁵* R⁶** position of OCHF₂*** 1. H H OCH₃ H H Hortho 2. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H H ortho 3. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H H ortho 4. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₃ H H ortho 5. H H OCH₃ H H H meta 6. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H H meta 7. CH₃ HOCH₃ H H H meta 8. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H H meta 9. H H OCH₃ H H H para 10. HH OCH₃ CH₃ H H para 11. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H H para 12. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H Hpara 13. H H OCHF₂ H H H ortho 14. H H OCHF₂ CH₃ H H ortho 15. CH₃ HOCHF₂ H H H ortho 16. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₃ H H ortho 17. H H OCHF₂ H H H meta18. H H OCHF₂ CH₃ H H meta 19. CH₃ H OCHF₂ H H H meta 20. CH₃ H OCHF₂CH₃ H H meta 21. H H OCHF₂ H H H para 22. H H OCHF₂ CH₃ H H para 23. CH₃H OCHF₂ H H H para 24. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₃ H H para 25. H H OCF₃ H H H ortho26. H H OCF₃ CH₃ H H ortho 27. CH₃ H OCF₃ H H H ortho 28. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃H H ortho 29. H H OCF₃ H H H meta 30. H H OCF₃ CH₃ H H meta 31. CH₃ HOCF₃ H H H meta 32. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃ H H meta 33. H H OCF₃ H H H para 34.H H OCF₃ CH₃ H H para 35. CH₃ H OCF₃ H H H para 36. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃ H Hpara 37. H H OCH₂CH₂F H H H ortho 38. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H H ortho 39. CH₃H OCH₂CH₂F H H H ortho 40. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H H ortho 41. H H OCH₂CH₂FH H H meta 42. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H H meta 43. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F H H H meta44. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H H meta 45. H H OCH₂CH₂F H H H para 46. H HOCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H H para 47. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F H H H para 48. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂FCH₃ H H para 49. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 50. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H Hortho 51. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H H meta 52. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H H meta 53. HH OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H H para 54. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H H para 55. H H OCHF₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 56. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 57. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ HH meta 58. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ H H meta 59. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ H H para 60.CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ H H para 61. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 62. CH₃ HOCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 63. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ H H meta 64. CH₃ HOCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ H H meta 65. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ H H para 66. CH₃ HOCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ H H para 67. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 68. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 69. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 70. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 71. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 72. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 73. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 74. CH₃ H OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 75. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 76. CH₃ H OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 77. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 78. CH₃ H OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 79. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 80. CH₃ HOCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 81. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 82. CH₃H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 83. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 84.CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 85. H H OCH₃ H 6-OCH₃ H meta 86. H HOCH₃ CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 87. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 6-OCH₃ H meta 88. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃6-OCH₃ H meta 89. H H OCHF₂ H 6-OCH₃ H meta 90. H H OCHF₂ CH₃ 6-OCH₃ Hmeta 91. CH₃ H OCHF₂ H 6-OCH₃ H meta 92. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta93. H H OCF₃ H 6-OCH₃ H meta 94. H H OCF₃ CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 95. CH₃ HOCF₃ H 6-OCH₃ H meta 96. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 97. H H OCH₂CH₂F H6-OCH₃ H meta 98. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 99. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F H6-OCH₃ H meta 100. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 101. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃6-OCH₃ H meta 102. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 103. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃6-OCH₃ H meta 104. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 105. H H OCH₂CH₂FCH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 106. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 107. H HOCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 108. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta109. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 110. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃H meta 111. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 112. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂FCH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 113. H H OCH₃ H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 114. H H OCH₃ CH₃6-OCHF₂ H meta 115. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 116. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃6-OCHF₂ H meta 117. H H OCHF₂ H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 118. H H OCHF₂ CH₃6-OCHF₂ H meta 119. CH₃ H OCHF₂ H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 120. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₃6-OCHF₂ H meta 121. H H OCF₃ H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 122. H H OCF₃ CH₃ 6-OCHF₂H meta 123. CH₃ H OCF₃ H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 124. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ Hmeta 125. H H OCH₂CH₂F H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 126. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ Hmeta 127. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 128. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃6-OCHF₂ H meta 129. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 130. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 131. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 132. CH₃ HOCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 133. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 134.CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 135. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ Hmeta 136. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 137. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃6-OCHF₂ H meta 138. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 139. H HOCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 140. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂H meta 141. H H OCH₃ H 4-OCH₃ H meta 142. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta143. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 4-OCH₃ H meta 144. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 145. HH OCHF₂ H 4-OCH₃ H meta 146. H H OCHF₂ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 147. CH₃ HOCHF₂ H 4-OCH₃ H meta 148. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 149. H H OCF₃ H4-OCH₃ H meta 150. H H OCF₃ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 151. CH₃ H OCF₃ H 4-OCH₃ Hmeta 152. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 153. H H OCH₂CH₂F H 4-OCH₃ H meta154. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 155. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F H 4-OCH₃ H meta156. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 157. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta158. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 159. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta160. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 161. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ Hmeta 162. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 163. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃4-OCH₃ H meta 164. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 165. H H OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 166. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 167. HH OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 168. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃H meta 169. H H OCH₃ H 3-OCH₃ H para 170. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para171. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 3-OCH₃ H para 172. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 173. HH OCHF₂ H 3-OCH₃ H para 174. H H OCHF₂ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 175. CH₃ HOCHF₂ H 3-OCH₃ H para 176. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 177. H H OCF₃ H3-OCH₃ H para 178. H H OCF₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 179. CH₃ H OCF₃ H 3-OCH₃ Hpara 180. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 181. H H OCH₂CH₂F H 3-OCH₃ H para182. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 183. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F H 3-OCH₃ H para184. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 185. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ Hpara 186. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 187. H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃3-OCH₃ H para 188. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 189. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃3-OCH₃ H para 190. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 191. H H OCH₂CH₂FCH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 192. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 193.H H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 194. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ Hpara 195. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 196. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃3-OCH₃ H para 197. H H OCH₃ H H 6-F ortho 198. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H 6-F ortho199. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H 6-F ortho 200. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H 6-F ortho 201. H HOCH₃ H H 6-F meta 202. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H 6-F meta 203. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H 6-Fmeta 204. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H 6-F meta 205. H H OCH₃ H H 6-F para 206. H HOCH₃ CH₃ H 6-F para 207. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H 6-F para 208. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H6-F para 209. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 6-F ortho 210. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 6-Fortho 211. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta 212. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta213. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 214. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 215. HH OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F ortho 216. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F ortho 217.H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta 218. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta 219.H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 220. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 221.H H OCH₃ H 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 222. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 223. H HOCH₃ CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 224. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 225. H HOCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 226. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 227.H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 228. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-Fmeta 229. H H OCH₃ H 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 230. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta231. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 232. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta233. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 234. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-Fmeta 235. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 236. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 237. H H OCH₃ H 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 238. CH₃ H OCH₃ H4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 239. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 240. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 241. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 242. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 243. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 244. CH₃H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 245. H H OCH₃ H 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 246.CH₃ H OCH₃ H 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 247. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 248. CH₃H OCH₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 249. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 250. CH₃H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 251. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para252. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 253. H H OCH₃ H H 5-F ortho254. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H 5-F ortho 255. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H 5-F ortho 256. CH₃ HOCH₃ CH₃ H 5-F ortho 257. H H OCH₃ H H 5-F meta 258. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H 5-Fmeta 259. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H 5-F meta 260. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H 5-F meta 261. HH OCH₃ H H 5-F para 262. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H 5-F para 263. CH₃ H OCH₃ H H 5-Fpara 264. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H 5-F para 265. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 5-F ortho266. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 5-F ortho 267. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta 268.CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta 269. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 5-F para 270. CH₃ HOCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 5-F para 271. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F ortho 272. CH₃ HOCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F ortho 273. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta 274. CH₃ HOCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta 275. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F para 276. CH₃ HOCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F para 277. H H OCH₃ H 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 278. H H OCH₃CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 279. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 280. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 281. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 282. CH₃ H OCH₃CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 283. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 284. CH₃H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 285. H H OCH₃ H 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 286. HH OCH₃ CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 287. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 288. CH₃H OCH₃ CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 289. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 290.CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 291. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-Fmeta 292. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 293. H H OCH₃ H 4-OCH₃5-F meta 294. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 295. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 4-OCH₃ 5-Fmeta 296. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 297. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-Fmeta 298. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 299. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 300. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 301. H H OCH₃CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 302. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 303. H HOCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 304. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para305. H H OCH₃ H 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 306. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 307.CH₃ H OCH₃ H 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 308. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 309. HH H H H 6-F ortho 310. H H H CH₃ H 6-F ortho 311. CH₃ H H H H 6-F ortho312. CH₃ H H CH₃ H 6-F ortho 313. H H H H H 6-F meta 314. H H H CH₃ H6-F meta 315. CH₃ H H H H 6-F meta 316. CH₃ H H CH₃ H 6-F meta 317. H HH H H 6-F para 318. H H H CH₃ H 6-F para 319. CH₃ H H H H 6-F para 320.CH₃ H H CH₃ H 6-F para 321. H H H CH₂CH₃ H 6-F ortho 322. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃H 6-F ortho 323. H H H CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta 324. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta325. H H H CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 326. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 327. H H HCH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F ortho 328. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F ortho 329. H H HCH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta 330. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F meta 331. H H HCH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 332. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 6-F para 333. H H H H6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 334. H H H CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 335. CH₃ H H H 6-OCH₃ 6-Fmeta 336. CH₃ H H CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 337. H H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta338. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 339. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta340. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 6-F meta 341. H H H H 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta342. H H H CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 343. CH₃ H H H 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 344. CH₃H H CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 345. H H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 346. CH₃ H HCH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 347. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 348. CH₃ HH CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 6-F meta 349. H H H H 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 350. H H H CH₃4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 351. CH₃ H H H 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 352. CH₃ H H CH₃ 4-OCH₃6-F meta 353. H H H CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 354. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃6-F meta 355. H H H CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 356. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃6-F para 357. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 358. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃4-OCH₃ 6-F meta 359. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 360. CH₃ H HCH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 361. H H H H 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 362. H H H CH₃3-OCH₃ 6-F para 363. CH₃ H H H 3-OCH₃ 6-F para 364. CH₃ H H CH₃ 3-OCH₃6-F para 365. H H H H H 5-F ortho 366. H H H CH₃ H 5-F ortho 367. CH₃ HH H H 5-F ortho 368. CH₃ H H CH₃ H 5-F ortho 369. H H H H H 5-F meta370. H H H CH₃ H 5-F meta 371. CH₃ H H H H 5-F meta 372. CH₃ H H CH₃ H5-F meta 373. H H H H H 5-F para 374. H H H CH₃ H 5-F para 375. CH₃ H HH H 5-F para 376. CH₃ H H CH₃ H 5-F para 377. H H H CH₂CH₃ H 5-F ortho378. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ H 5-F ortho 379. H H H CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta 380. CH₃ HH CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta 381. H H H CH₂CH₃ H 5-F para 382. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ H5-F para 383. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F ortho 384. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-Fortho 385. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta 386. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F meta387. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F para 388. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 5-F para 389. HH H H 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 390. H H H CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 391. CH₃ H H H6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 392. CH₃ H H CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 393. H H H CH₂CH₃6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 394. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 395. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 396. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ 5-F meta 397. H H H H6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 398. H H H CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 399. CH₃ H H H 6-OCHF₂5-F meta 400. CH₃ H H CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 401. H H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-Fmeta 402. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 403. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂5-F meta 404. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ 5-F meta 405. H H H H 4-OCH₃ 5-Fmeta 406. H H H CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 407. CH₃ H H H 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 408.CH₃ H H CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 409. H H H CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 410. CH₃ HH CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 411. H H H CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 412. CH₃ H HCH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 413. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 414. CH₃ H HCH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ 5-F meta 415. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 416. CH₃H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 417. H H H H 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 418. H H HCH₃ 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 419. CH₃ H H H 3-OCH₃ 5-F para 420. CH₃ H H CH₃3-OCH₃ 5-F para 421. H H H H H H ortho 422. H H H CH₃ H H ortho 423. CH₃H H H H H ortho 424. CH₃ H H CH₃ H H ortho 425. H H H H H H meta 426. HH H CH₃ H H meta 427. CH₃ H H H H H meta 428. CH₃ H H CH₃ H H meta 429.H H H H H H para 430. H H H CH₃ H H para 431. CH₃ H H H H H para 432.CH₃ H H CH₃ H H para 433. H H H CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 434. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ H Hortho 435. H H H CH₂CH₃ H H meta 436. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ H H meta 437. H H HCH₂CH₃ H H para 438. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ H H para 439. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H Hortho 440. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 441. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta442. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 443. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 444. CH₃ HH CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 445. H H H H 6-OCH₃ H meta 446. H H H CH₃ 6-OCH₃ Hmeta 447. CH₃ H H H 6-OCH₃ H meta 448. CH₃ H H CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 449. HH H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 450. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 451. H H HCH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 452. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 453. H H HH 6-OCHF₂ H meta 454. H H H CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 455. CH₃ H H H 6-OCHF₂ Hmeta 456. CH₃ H H CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 457. H H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta458. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 459. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta460. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 461. H H H H 4-OCH₃ H meta 462. HH H CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 463. CH₃ H H H 4-OCH₃ H meta 464. CH₃ H H CH₃4-OCH₃ H meta 465. H H H CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 466. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃H meta 467. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 468. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃H meta 469. H H H H 3-OCH₃ H para 470. H H H CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 471. CH₃H H H 3-OCH₃ H para 472. CH₃ H H CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 473. H H H CH₂CH₃3-OCH₃ H para 474. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 475. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃3-OCH₃ H para 476. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 477. H H F H H Hortho 478. H H F CH₃ H H ortho 479. CH₃ H F H H H ortho 480. CH₃ H F CH₃H H ortho 481. H H F H H H meta 482. H H F CH₃ H H meta 483. CH₃ H F H HH meta 484. CH₃ H F CH₃ H H meta 485. H H F H H H para 486. H H F CH₃ HH para 487. CH₃ H F H H H para 488. CH₃ H F CH₃ H H para 489. H H FCH₂CH₃ H H ortho 490. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 491. H H F CH₂CH₃ H Hmeta 492. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₃ H H meta 493. H H F CH₂CH₃ H H para 494. CH₃ HF CH₂CH₃ H H para 495. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H ortho 496. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₂CH₃H H ortho 497. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta 498. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H meta499. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 500. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H para 501. H H FH 6-OCH₃ H meta 502. H H F CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 503. CH₃ H F H 6-OCH₃ Hmeta 504. CH₃ H F CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 505. H H F CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 506.CH₃ H F CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 507. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 508. CH₃H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCH₃ H meta 509. H H F H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 510. H H F CH₃6-OCHF₂ H meta 511. CH₃ H F H 6-OCHF₂ H meta 512. CH₃ H F CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ Hmeta 513. H H F CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 514. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta515. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ H meta 516. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-OCHF₂ Hmeta 517. H H F H 4-OCH₃ H meta 518. H H F CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 519. CH₃ HF H 4-OCH₃ H meta 520. CH₃ H F CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 521. H H F CH₂CH₃4-OCH₃ H meta 522. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 523. H H F CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃H para 524. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 525. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ Hmeta 526. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 4-OCH₃ H meta 527. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ Hpara 528. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 529. H H F H 3-OCH₃ H para530. H H F CH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para 531. CH₃ H F H 3-OCH₃ H para 532. CH₃ H FCH₃ 3-OCH₃ H para *position with respect to the sulfonyl moiety**position as indicated in formula I ***position with respect to thesulfonyl moiety (ortho = 2-position, meta = 3-position, para =4-position)

Examples of compounds according to the present invention are thecompounds of the formula I′, their pharmacologically tolerated salts andthe N-oxides thereof, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen and wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴and R⁶ is given in the following table B and wherein the sulfonyl groupis attached to the benzene ring at the α-position with respect to thedioxole ring:

TABLE B (I′)

R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁶ ** 533. H H OCH₃ H H 534. H H OCH₃ CH₃ H 535. CH₃ H OCH₃H H 536. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ H 537. H H OCHF₂ H H 538. H H OCHF₂ CH₃ H 539.CH₃ H OCHF₂ H H 540. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₃ H 541. H H OCF₃ H H 542. H H OCF₃CH₃ H 543. CH₃ H OCF₃ H H 544. CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₃ H 545. H H OCH₂CH₂F H H546. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H 547. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F H H 548. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F CH₃H 549. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ H H 550. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₃ H 551. CH₃ CH₃(rac) OCH₃ H H 552. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₃ H 553. H CH₃ (rac) OCHF₂ H H554. H CH₃ (rac) OCHF₂ CH₃ H 555. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCHF₂ H H 556. CH₃ CH₃(rac) OCHF₂ CH₃ H 557. H CH₃ (rac) OCF₃ H H 558. H CH₃ (rac) OCF₃ CH₃ H559. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCF₃ H H 560. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCF₃ CH₃ H 561. H CH₃(rac) OCH₂CH₂F H H 562. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H 563. CH₃ CH₃ (rac)OCH₂CH₂F H H 564. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H 565. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₃ H566. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ H H 567. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₃ H 568. H CH₃ (S)OCHF₂ H H 569. H CH₃ (S) OCHF₂ CH₃ H 570. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCHF₂ H H 571. CH₃CH₃ (S) OCHF₂ CH₃ H 572. H CH₃ (S) OCF₃ H H 573. H CH₃ (S) OCF₃ CH₃ H574. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCF₃ H H 575. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCF₃ CH₃ H 576. H CH₃ (S)OCH₂CH₂F H H 577. H CH₃ (S) OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H 578. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₂CH₂F H H579. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H 580. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₃ H 581. CH₃ CH₃(R) OCH₃ H H 582. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₃ H 583. H CH₃ (R) OCHF₂ H H 584. HCH₃ (R) OCHF₂ CH₃ H 585. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCHF₂ H H 586. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCHF₂CH₃ H 587. H CH₃ (R) OCF₃ H H 588. H CH₃ (R) OCF₃ CH₃ H 589. CH₃ CH₃ (R)OCF₃ H H 590. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCF₃ CH₃ H 591. H CH₃ (R) OCH₂CH₂F H H 592. HCH₃ (R) OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H 593. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₂CH₂F H H 594. CH₃ CH₃ (R)OCH₂CH₂F CH₃ H 595. H H OCH₃ C₂H₅ H 596. CH₃ H OCH₃ C₂H₅ H 597. H HOCHF₂ C₂H₅ H 598. CH₃ H OCHF₂ C₂H₅ H 599. H H OCF₃ C₂H₅ H 600. CH₃ HOCF₃ C₂H₅ H 601. H H OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H 602. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H 603. HCH₃ (rac) OCH₃ C₂H₅ H 604. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ C₂H₅ H 605. H CH₃ (rac)OCHF₂ C₂H₅ H 606. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCHF₂ C₂H₅ H 607. H CH₃ (rac) OCF₃ C₂H₅H 608. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCF₃ C₂H₅ H 609. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H 610.CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H 611. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ C₂H₅ H 612. CH₃ CH₃(S) OCH₃ C₂H₅ H 613. H CH₃ (S) OCHF₂ C₂H₅ H 614. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCHF₂ C₂H₅H 615. H CH₃ (S) OCF₃ C₂H₅ H 616. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCF₃ C₂H₅ H 617. H CH₃ (S)OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H 618. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H 619. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃C₂H₅ H 620. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃ C₂H₅ H 621. H CH₃ (R) OCHF₂ C₂H₅ H 622. CH₃CH₃ (R) OCHF₂ C₂H₅ H 623. H CH₃ (R) OCF₃ C₂H₅ H 624. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCF₃C₂H₅ H 625. H CH₃ (R) OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H 626. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₂CH₂F C₂H₅ H627. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 628. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 629. H H OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 630. CH₃ H OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 631. H H OCF₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 632.CH₃ H OCF₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 633. H H OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 634. CH₃ H OCH₂CH₂FCH₂CH₂CH₃ H 635. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 636. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 637. H CH₃ (rac) OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 638. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 639. H CH₃ (rac) OCF₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 640. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCF₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 641. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 642. CH₃ CH₃ (rac)OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 643. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 644. CH₃ CH₃ (S)OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 645. H CH₃ (S) OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 646. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 647. H CH₃ (S) OCF₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 648. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCF₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 649. H CH₃ (S) OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 650. CH₃ CH₃ (S)OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 651. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 652. CH₃ CH₃ (R)OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 653. H CH₃ (R) OCHF₂ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 654. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCHF₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 655. H CH₃ (R) OCF₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 656. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCF₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 657. H CH₃ (R) OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 658. CH₃ CH₃ (R)OCH₂CH₂F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 659. H H OCH₃ H 6-F 660. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 661. CH₃H OCH₃ H 6-F 662. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 663. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ H 6-F 664. HCH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 665. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ H 6-F 666. CH₃ CH₃ (rac)OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 667. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 668. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ H 6-F669. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 670. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 671. CH₃ CH₃(R) OCH₃ H 6-F 672. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₃ 6-F 673. H H OCH₃ C₂H₅ 6-F 674.CH₃ H OCH₃ C₂H₅ 6-F 675. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 6-F 676. CH₃ CH₃ (rac)OCH₃ C₂H₅ 6-F 677. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 6-F 678. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ C₂H₅6-F 679. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 6-F 680. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 6-F 681. H HOCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 682. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 683. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 684. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 685. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 686. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 687. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 688. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 689. H H OCH₃ H 5-F690. H H OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F 691. CH₃ H OCH₃ H 5-F 692. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F 693.H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ H 5-F 694. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F 695. CH₃ CH₃ (rac)OCH₃ H 5-F 696. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F 697. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F698. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ H 5-F 699. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F 700. H CH₃ (R)OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F 701. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃ H 5-F 702. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₃ 5-F703. H H OCH₃ C₂H₅ 5-F 704. CH₃ H OCH₃ C₂H₅ 5-F 705. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃C₂H₅ 5-F 706. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 5-F 707. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 5-F708. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 5-F 709. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 5-F 710. CH₃ CH₃(R) OCH₃ C₂H₅ 5-F 711. H H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 712. CH₃ H OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃5-F 713. H CH₃ (rac) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 714. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 715. H CH₃ (S) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 716. CH₃ CH₃ (S) OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 717. H CH₃ (R) OCH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 718. CH₃ CH₃ (R) OCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 719. H H H H 6-F 720. H H H CH₃ 6-F 721. CH₃ H H H 6-F722. CH₃ H H CH₃ 6-F 723. H CH₃ (rac) H H 6-F 724. H CH₃ (rac) H CH₃ 6-F725. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H H 6-F 726. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H CH₃ 6-F 727. H CH₃ (S) HCH₃ 6-F 728. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H H 6-F 729. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H CH₃ 6-F 730. H CH₃(R) H CH₃ 6-F 731. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H H 6-F 732. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H CH₃ 6-F 733. HH H C₂H₅ 6-F 734. CH₃ H H C₂H₅ 6-F 735. H CH₃ (rac) H C₂H₅ 6-F 736. CH₃CH₃ (rac) H C₂H₅ 6-F 737. H CH₃ (S) H C₂H₅ 6-F 738. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H C₂H₅6-F 739. H CH₃ (R) H C₂H₅ 6-F 740. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H C₂H₅ 6-F 741. H H HCH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 742. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 743. H CH₃ (rac) H CH₂CH₂CH₃6-F 744. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 745. H CH₃ (S) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F746. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 747. H CH₃ (R) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 748. CH₃CH₃ (R) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 6-F 749. H H H H 5-F 750. H H H CH₃ 5-F 751. CH₃ H HH 5-F 752. CH₃ H H CH₃ 5-F 753. H CH₃ (rac) H H 5-F 754. H CH₃ (rac) HCH₃ 5-F 755. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H H 5-F 756. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H CH₃ 5-F 757. HCH₃ (S) H CH₃ 5-F 758. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H H 5-F 759. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H CH₃ 5-F760. H CH₃ (R) H CH₃ 5-F 761. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H H 5-F 762. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H CH₃5-F 763. H H H C₂H₅ 5-F 764. CH₃ H H C₂H₅ 5-F 765. H CH₃ (rac) H C₂H₅5-F 766. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H C₂H₅ 5-F 767. H CH₃ (S) H C₂H₅ 5-F 768. CH₃ CH₃(S) H C₂H₅ 5-F 769. H CH₃ (R) H C₂H₅ 5-F 770. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H C₂H₅ 5-F771. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 772. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 773. H CH₃ (rac) HCH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 774. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 775. H CH₃ (S) HCH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 776. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 777. H CH₃ (R) HCH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 778. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ 5-F 779. H H H H H 780. H H HCH₃ H 781. CH₃ H H H H 782. CH₃ H H CH₃ H 783. H CH₃ (rac) H H H 784. HCH₃ (rac) H CH₃ H 785. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H H H 786. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) H CH₃ H787. H CH₃ (S) H CH₃ H 788. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H H H 789. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H CH₃ H790. H CH₃ (R) H CH₃ H 791. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H H H 792. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H CH₃ H793. H H H C₂H₅ H 794. CH₃ H H C₂H₅ H 795. H CH₃ (rac) H C₂H₅ H 796. CH₃CH₃ (rac) H C₂H₅ H 797. H CH₃ (S) H C₂H₅ H 798. CH₃ CH₃ (S) H C₂H₅ H799. H CH₃ (R) H C₂H₅ H 800. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H C₂H₅ H 801. H H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H802. CH₃ H H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 803. H CH₃ (rac) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 804. CH₃ CH₃(rac) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 805. H CH₃ (S) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 806. CH₃ CH₃ (S) HCH₂CH₂CH₃ H 807. H CH₃ (R) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 808. CH₃ CH₃ (R) H CH₂CH₂CH₃ H809. H H F H H 810. H H F CH₃ H 811. CH₃ H F H H 812. CH₃ H F CH₃ H 813.H CH₃ (rac) F H H 814. H CH₃ (rac) F CH₃ H 815. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) F H H 816.CH₃ CH₃ (rac) F CH₃ H 817. H CH₃ (S) F CH₃ H 818. CH₃ CH₃ (S) F H H 819.CH₃ CH₃ (S) F CH₃ H 820. H CH₃ (R) F CH₃ H 821. CH₃ CH₃ (R) F H H 822.CH₃ CH₃ (R) F CH₃ H 823. H H F C₂H₅ H 824. CH₃ H F C₂H₅ H 825. H CH₃(rac) F C₂H₅ H 826. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) F C₂H₅ H 827. H CH₃ (S) F C₂H₅ H 828.CH₃ CH₃ (S) F C₂H₅ H 829. H CH₃ (R) F C₂H₅ H 830. CH₃ CH₃ (R) F C₂H₅ H831. H H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 832. CH₃ H F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 833. H CH₃ (rac) FCH₂CH₂CH₃ H 834. CH₃ CH₃ (rac) F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 835. H CH₃ (S) F CH₂CH₂CH₃H 836. CH₃ CH₃ (S) F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 837. H CH₃ (R) F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 838. CH₃CH₃ (R) F CH₂CH₂CH₃ H rac: racemic with respect to CH—R² S: S-enantiomerwith respect to CH—R² S: R-enantiomer with respect to CH—R² ** positionas indicated in formula I′

Examples of compounds according to the present invention are likewisethe compounds of the formula I′, their pharmacologically tolerated saltsand the N-oxides thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴ is given in table B andwherein the sulfonyl group is attached to the benzene ring at theβ-position with respect to the dioxole ring.

The compounds I and I′ according to the invention are prepared inanalogy with methods known from the literature. An important approach tothe compounds according to the invention is offered by the reaction of a1-(piperazin-1-yl)-3-aminobenzene compound II with a difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonic acid derivative III as depicted in scheme 1 or with a2,2-difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxolesulfonic acid derivative IIIa as depictedin scheme 1a.

In schemes 1 and 1a, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁶ have the previously mentionedmeanings. R^(a) is a nitrogen protecting group or methyl SuitableN-protecting groups are described, for example, in P. J. Kocienski“Protecting Groups”, 2^(nd) ed., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pp186-237 and in the literature cited therein. Preferred examples ofN-protecting groups are e.g., oxycarbonyl groups such asC₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and Boc(tert-butoxycarbonyl) and other oxycarbonyl groups such asbenzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), allyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl(Fmoc) and 2-Trim ethylsilylethoxycarbonyl (Teoc), or 2-propenyl(allyl). X is a nucleophilically displaceable leaving group, inparticular a halogen atom and, especially, chlorine or bromine.

Compounds of the formulae IV and IVa, wherein R^(a) is a nitrogenprotecting group, in particular a C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl group such asmethoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and Boc (tert-butoxycarbonyl), are noveland thus form also part of the present invention.

Compounds of the formula IV, wherein R^(a) is linear methyl correspondto compounds I, wherein R¹ is methyl. Compounds of the formula IVa,wherein R^(a) is linear methyl correspond to compounds I′, wherein R¹ ismethyl.

The reaction depicted in schemes 1 and 1a takes place under the reactionconditions which are customary for preparing arylsulfonamide compoundsor arylsulfonic esters, respectively, and which are described, forexample, in J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 3^(rd) edition, JohnWiley & Sons, New York, 1985 p 444 and the literature cited therein,European J. Org. Chem. 2002 (13), pp. 2094-2108, Tetrahedron 2001, 57(27) pp. 5885-5895, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2000,10(8), pp. 835-838 and Synthesis 2000 (1), pp. 103-108.

The reaction customarily takes place in an inert solvent, for example inan ether, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butylether or tetrahydrofuran, a halohydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane, analiphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon, such as pentane, hexane orcyclohexane, or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene, xylene, cumeneand the like, or in a mixture of the abovementioned solvents.

The reaction of compound II with compound III (or compound IIIa) iscustomarily carried out in the presence of an auxiliary base. Suitablebases are inorganic bases, such as sodium carbonate or potassiumcarbonate, or sodium hydrogen carbonate or potassium hydrogen carbonate,and organic bases, for example trialkylamines, such as triethylamine, orpyridine compounds, such as pyridine, lutidine and the like. The lattercompounds can at the same time serve as solvents. The auxiliary base iscustomarily employed in at least equimolar quantities, based on theamine compound II.

The reaction of compound II with compound III or IIIa, respectivelyyields compound IV or IVa, respectively, which, in case R^(a) is anN-protecting group, is deprotected to yield the compound of the generalformula I or I′, wherein R¹ is hydrogen. Deprotection of the compound IVor IVa, respectively, can be achieved by standard methods, e.g., by themethods as described in P. J. Kocienski “Protecting Groups”, 2^(nd) ed.,Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pp 186-237 and in the literaturecited therein.

Customary methods can then be used to react these compounds with anmethylating agent such as methyliodide or dimethylsulfate resulting in acompound I or I′, respectively, in which R¹ is C₁-C₃-alkyl orfluorinated C₁-C₃-alkyl. The reaction conditions which are required forthis methylating reaction are disclosed, for example, in WO 02/83652,Tetrahedron 2000, 56(38) pp. 7553-7560 and Synlett. 2000 (4), pp.475-480.

Likewise, it is possible to react the compound IV or IVa with amethylating agent such as methyliodide or dimethylsulfate to yield acompound of the formula IVc or IVd, respectively, wherein R^(a), R², R³,R⁵ and R⁶ are as defined above.

If R^(a) in formulae IVb or IVd is an N-protecting group, compound IVcor IVd, respectively is deprotected to yield the compound of the generalformula I, wherein R¹ is hydrogen. Deprotection of the compound IVc orIVd can be achieved by standard methods, e.g., by the methods asdescribed in P. J. Kocienski “Protecting Groups”, 2^(nd) ed., GeorgThieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pp 186-237 and in the literature citedtherein.

The compounds of the general formula II are known per se or can beprepared in the manner shown in scheme 2.

In scheme 2, R^(a), R², R³ and R⁶ have the previously mentionedmeanings.

In step i) of scheme 2, the compound V is subjected to a nitration understandard conditions thereby yielding compound VI. Reaction conditionscan be taken e.g., from U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,904 or from the workingexamples of the present application.

In step ii) of scheme 2, the NH-group of compound VI is protected,either by a conventional N-protecting group as defined above or byintroducing a methyl group via a methylating agent such asmethylbromide, methyliodide or dimethylsulfate. Introduction of anN-protecting group into compound V can be achieved by standard methods,e.g., by the methods as described in P. J. Kocienski “ProtectingGroups”, 2^(nd) ed., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pp 186-237 andin the literature cited therein. Methylation of compound VI is likewiseachieved by standard methods of Organic chemistry.

In step iii), the nitro group in compound VII is reduced to the NH₂group to yield compound II. The reaction conditions which are requiredfor step b) correspond to the customary conditions for reducing aromaticnitro groups which have been described extensively in the literature(see, for example, J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 3rd ed., J.Wiley & Sons, New-York, 1985, p. 1183 and the literature cited in thisreference). The reduction can be achieved, for example, by reacting thenitro compound VII with a metal such as iron, zinc or tin under acidicreaction conditions, i.e., using nascent hydrogen, or using a complexhydride such as lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride,preferably in the presence of transition metal compounds of nickel orcobalt such as NiCl₂(P(phenyl)₃)₂, or CoCl₂, (see Ono et al. Chem. Ind.(London), 1983 p. 480), or using NaBH₂S₃ (see Lalancette et al. Can. J.Chem. 49, 1971, p. 2990), with it being possible to carry out thesereductions, depending on the given reagent, in substance or in a solventor diluent. Alternatively, the reduction of VII to II can be carried outwith hydrogen in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, e.g.,using hydrogen in the presence of catalysts based on platinum,palladium, nickel, ruthenium or rhodium. The catalysts can contain thetransition metal in elemental form or in the form of a complex compound,of a salt or of an oxide of the transition metal, with it beingpossible, for the purpose of modifying the activity, to use customarycoligands, e.g., organic phosphine compounds, such astriphenylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine or tri-n-butylphosphines orphosphites. The catalyst is customarily employed in quantities of from0.001 to 1 mol per mol of compound VI, calculated as catalyst metal. Ina preferred variant, the reduction is effected using tin(II) chloride inanalogy with the methods described in Bioorganic and Medicinal ChemistryLetters, 2002, 12(15), pp. 1917-1919 and J. Med. Chem. 2002, 45(21), pp.4679-4688. The reaction of VII with tin(II) chloride is preferablycarried out in an inert organic solvent, preferably an alcohol such asmethanol, ethanol, isopropanol or butanol.

The compounds II, wherein R³ is trifluoromethoxy, can be preparedaccording to the following synthetic scheme 3 from the commerciallyavailable bromo-trifluoromethoxy-nitro-benzene via Pd-catalyzedBuchwald-Hartwig coupling with e.g., a protected piperazine derivativeand subsequent reduction of the nitro group to the amino group asdescribed for step iii) in scheme 2.

The compounds of the formula IX, wherein R³ is difluoromethoxy can beprepared by reacting commercially available 2-bromo-4-nitrophenol with2-chloro-2,2-difluoroacetophenone by analogy to the method described inJ. Hu et al., J. Org. Chem., 2006, 71, 9845 to yield2-bromo-1-difluoromethoxy-4-nitro-benzene, which is then convertied intothe compound of the formula II with R³ being difluoromethoxy by analogyto the methods depicted in schemes 2 and 3.

The compounds of the formula II, wherein R³ is methoxy and R⁶ isfluorine, can also be prepared according to scheme 3 from thecommercially available 1-bromo-fluoro-2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzene viaPd-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig coupling with e.g., a protected piperazinederivative and subsequent reduction of the nitro group to the aminogroup as described for step iii) in scheme 2.

If not indicated otherwise, the above-described reactions are generallycarried out in a solvent at temperatures between room temperature andthe boiling temperature of the solvent employed. Alternatively, theactivation energy which is required for the reaction can be introducedinto the reaction mixture using microwaves, something which has provedto be of value, in particular, in the case of the reactions catalyzed bytransition metals (with regard to reactions using microwaves, seeTetrahedron 2001, 57, p. 9199 ff. p. 9225 ff. and also, in a generalmanner, “Microwaves in Organic Synthesis”, Andre Loupy (Ed.), Wiley-VCH2002.

The acid addition salts of compounds I and I′ are prepared in acustomary manner by mixing the free base with a corresponding acid,where appropriate in solution in an organic solvent, for exampleacetonitrile, a lower alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol or propanol, anether, such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether or diisopropylether, a ketone, such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, an ester, suchas ethyl acetate, mixtures thereof as well as mixtures thereof withwater.

The compounds of the present invention can be a 5-HT₆ receptor agonist,including partial agonistic activity, or a 5-HT₆ receptor antagonist,including inverse agonist activity.

The compounds of formulae I and I′ according to the present invention,as well as their salts and their N-oxides, have a surprisingly highaffinity for 5-HT₆ receptors. The high affinity of the compoundsaccording to the invention for 5-HT₆ receptors is reflected in very lowin-vitro receptor binding constants (K_(i)(5-HT₆) values) of as a ruleless than 50 nM (nmol/l), preferably of less than 10 nM and, inparticular of less than 5 nM. The displacement of ³H-LSD can, forexample, be used in receptor binding studies for determining bindingaffinities to 5-HT₆ receptors.

Furthermore the compounds of formulae I and I′, as well as their saltsand their N-oxides, are highly selective 5-HT₆ receptor ligands which,because of their low affinity for other receptors such as dopaminereceptors, adrenergic receptors, muscarinic receptors, histaminereceptors, opiate receptors, in particular dopamine D₂, α₁-adrenergicand histamine H₁ receptors, give rise to fewer side-effects than other,less selective 5-HT₆ ligands.

For instance the 5-HT₆/D₂, 5-HT₆/α₁-adrenergic or 5-HT₆/H₁ selectivitiesof the compounds according to the present invention, i.e., the ratiosK_(i)(D₂)/K_(i)(5-HT₆), K_(i)(α₁-adrenergic)/K_(i)(5-HT₆) orK_(i)(H₁)/K_(i)(5-HT₆) of the receptor binding constants, is as a ruleat least 25, preferably at least 50, even better at least 100.

The displacement of [³H]SCH23390 or [¹²⁵I]spiperone can be used, forexample, for carrying out receptor binding studies on D₁, D₂ and D₄receptors.

Furthermore the compounds of the present invention because of theirstructural features are susceptible to display an enhanced brainpenetration than other known 5-HT₆ receptor ligands.

Because of their binding profile, the compounds of the present inventioncan be used for treating diseases which respond to 5-HT₆ receptorligands (or which are susceptible to treatment with a 5-HT₆ receptorligand), i.e., they are effective for treating those medical disordersor diseases in which exerting an influence on (modulating) the 5-HT₆receptors leads to an improvement in the clinical picture or to thedisease being cured. Examples of these diseases are disorders ordiseases of the central nervous system.

Disorders or diseases of the central nervous system are understood asmeaning disorders which affect the spinal cord and, in particular, thebrain. Within the meaning of the invention, the term “disorder” denotesdisturbances and/or anomalies which are as a rule regarded as beingpathological conditions or functions and which can manifest themselvesin the form of particular signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions. While thetreatment according to the invention can be directed toward individualdisorders, i.e., anomalies or pathological conditions, it is alsopossible for several anomalies, which may be causatively linked to eachother, to be combined into patterns, i.e., syndromes, which can betreated in accordance with the invention.

The disorders which can be treated in accordance with the invention arein particular disorders which respond to a modulation of the 5-HT₆receptor. They include cognitive dysfunctions, such as a deficit inmemory, cognition and learning, in particular associated withAlzheimer's disease, age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitiveimpairment, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity syndrome,personality disorders, such as schizophrenia, in particular cognitivedeficits related with schizophrenia, affective disorders such asdepression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders, motion or motordisorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, migraine, sleepdisorders (including disturbances of the Circadian rhythm), feedingdisorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, certain gastrointestinaldisorders such as Irritable Bowl Syndrome, diseases associated withneurodegeneration, such as stroke, spinal or head trauma and headinjuries, such as hydrocephalus, addiction diseases including e.g., drugaddiction and obesity.

The addiction diseases include psychic disorders and behavioraldisturbances which are caused by the abuse of psychotropic substances,including certain pharmaceuticals, such as sedative, anxiolytica,hypnotics or narcotics (hereinafter also referred to as drug addiction),and also other addiction diseases, such as addiction to gaming(gambling; impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified). Examplesof addictive substances are: opioids (e.g., morphine, heroin andcodeine), cocaine; nicotine; alcohol; substances which interact with theGABA chloride channel complex, sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers,for example benzodiazepines; LSD; cannabinoids; psychomotor stimulants,such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (ecstasy); amphetamineand amphetamine-like substances such as methylphenidate and otherstimulants including caffeine. Addictive substances which comeparticularly into consideration are opioids, cocaine, amphetamine oramphetamine-like substances, hallucinogens, NMDA-receptor antagonistssuch phencyclidine and related cyclidines, dextrometorphan, dextrorphan,ibogaine, ketimine and tiletamine, cannabis, nicotine and alcohol. Otheraddiction diseases include gaming (gambling), including problem gambling(compulsive gambling, ludomania), computer or video game addiction andinternet addiction.

With regard to the treatment of addiction diseases, particularpreference is given to those compounds according to the presentinvention which themselves do not possess any psychotropic effect. Thiscan also be observed in a test using rats, which, after having beenadministered compounds which can be used in accordance with theinvention, reduce their self administration of psychotropic substances,for example cocaine or alcohol.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the compoundsaccording to the invention are suitable for treating disorders whosecauses can at least partially be attributed to an anomalous activity of5-HT₆ receptors.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the treatment isdirected, in particular, toward those disorders which can be influenced,within the sense of an expedient medicinal treatment, by the binding ofpreferably exogeneously administered binding partners (ligands) to 5-HT₆receptors.

The diseases which can be treated with the compounds according to theinvention are frequently characterized by progressive development, i.e.,the above-described conditions change over the course of time; as arule, the severity increases and conditions may possibly merge into eachother or other conditions may appear in addition to those which alreadyexist.

The compounds of the present invention can be used to treat a largenumber of signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions which are connected withthe disorders of the central nervous system and, in particular, theabovementioned conditions. These signs, symptoms and/or malfunctionsinclude, for example, a disturbed relationship to reality, lack ofinsight and ability to meet customary social norms or the demands madeby life, changes in temperament, changes in individual drives, such ashunger, sleep, thirst, etc., and in mood, disturbances in the ability toobserve and combine, changes in personality, in particular emotionallability, hallucinations, ego-disturbances, distractedness, ambivalence,autism, depersonalization and false perceptions, delusional ideas,chanting speech, lack of synkinesia, short-step gait, flexed posture oftrunk and limbs, tremor, poverty of facial expression, monotonousspeech, depressions, apathy, impeded spontaneity and decisiveness,impoverished association ability, anxiety, nervous agitation,stammering, social phobia, panic disturbances, withdrawal symptoms inassociation with dependency, maniform syndromes, states of excitationand confusion, dysphoria, dyskinetic syndromes and tic disorders, e.g.,Huntington's chorea and Gilles-de-la-Tourette's syndrome, vertigosyndromes, e.g., peripheral positional, rotational and oscillatoryvertigo, melancholia, hysteria, hypochondria and the like.

Within the meaning of the invention, a treatment also includes apreventive treatment (prophylaxis), in particular as relapse prophylaxisor phase prophylaxis, as well as the treatment of acute or chronicsigns, symptoms and/or malfunctions. The treatment can be orientatedsymptomatically, for example as the suppression of symptoms. It can beeffected over a short period, be orientated over the medium term or canbe a long-term treatment, for example within the context of amaintenance therapy.

The compounds according to the invention are preferentially suitable fortreating diseases of the central nervous system, more preferably fortreating cognitive dysfunctions and in particular, for treatingcognitive dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia or with Alzheimer'sdisease.

According to another aspect of the invention the compounds of thepresent invention are particularly suitable for treating addictiondiseases caused for instance by the abuse of psychotropic substances,such as pharmaceuticals, narcotics, nicotine or alcohol, includingpsychic disorders and behavioral disturbances related thereto. Thecompounds of the present invention are likewise particularly suitablefor treating addiction diseases which are not caused by the abuse ofpsychotropic substances, such as gaming (gambling), including problemgambling (compulsive gambling, ludomania), computer or video gameaddiction and internet addiction. With regard to addiction diseases, thecompound of the present invention can be used for the therapy duringaddiction and also for preventing relapse into addiction.

According to another aspect of the invention the compounds of formulae(I) and (I)′, their salts and their N-oxides are particularly suitablefor treating nutritional disorders, such as obesity, as well as diseasesrelated thereto, such as cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases,respiratory diseases, cancer or type 2 diabetes.

Within the context of the treatment, the use according to the inventionof the described compounds involves a method. In this method, aneffective quantity of one or more compounds, as a rule formulated inaccordance with pharmaceutical and veterinary practice, is administeredto the individual to be treated, preferably a mammal, in particular ahuman being, productive animal or domestic animal. Whether such atreatment is indicated, and in which form it is to take place, dependson the individual case and is subject to medical assessment (diagnosis)which takes into consideration signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions whichare present, the risks of developing particular signs, symptoms and/ormalfunctions, and other factors.

As a rule, the treatment is effected by means of single or repeateddaily administration, where appropriate together, or alternating, withother active compounds or active compound-containing preparations suchthat a daily dose of preferably from about 0.1 to 1000 mg/kg ofbodyweight, in the case of oral administration, or of from about 0.1 to100 mg/kg of bodyweight, in the case of parenteral administration, issupplied to an individual to be treated.

The invention also relates to the production of pharmaceuticalcompositions for treating an individual, preferably a mammal, inparticular a human being, productive animal or domestic animal. Thus,the compounds of formulae I or I′, their salts and/or their N-oxides arecustomarily administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositionswhich comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient together with atleast one compound according to the invention and, where appropriate,other active compounds. These compositions can, for example, beadministered orally, rectally, transdermally, subcutaneously,intravenously, intramuscularly or intranasally.

Examples of suitable pharmaceutical formulations are solid medicinalforms, such as powders, granules, tablets, in particular film tablets,lozenges, sachets, cachets, sugar-coated tablets, capsules, such as hardgelatin capsules and soft gelatin capsules, suppositories or vaginalmedicinal forms, semisolid medicinal forms, such as ointments, creams,hydrogels, pastes or plasters, and also liquid medicinal forms, such assolutions, emulsions, in particular oil-in-water emulsions, suspensions,for example lotions, injection preparations and infusion preparations,and eyedrops and eardrops. Implanted release devices can also be usedfor administering inhibitors according to the invention. In addition, itis also possible to use liposomes or microspheres.

When producing the compositions, the compounds according to theinvention are optionally mixed or diluted with one or more excipients.Excipients can be solid, semisolid or liquid materials which serve asvehicles, carriers or medium for the active compound.

Suitable excipients are listed in the specialist medicinal monographs.In addition, the formulations can comprise pharmaceutically acceptablecarriers or customary auxiliary substances, such as glidants; wettingagents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preservatives; antioxidants;antiirritants; chelating agents; coating auxiliaries; emulsionstabilizers; film formers; gel formers; odor masking agents; tastecorrigents; resin; hydrocolloids; solvents; solubilizers; neutralizingagents; diffusion accelerators; pigments; quaternary ammonium compounds;refatting and overfatting agents; raw materials for ointments, creams oroils; silicone derivatives; spreading auxiliaries; stabilizers;sterilants; suppository bases; tablet auxiliaries, such as binders,fillers, glidants, disintegrants or coatings; propellants; dryingagents; opacifiers; thickeners; waxes; plasticizers and white mineraloils. A formulation in this regard is based on specialist knowledge asdescribed, for example, in Fiedler, H. P., Lexikon der Hilfsstoffe fürPharmazie, Kosmetik und angrenzende Gebiete [Encyclopedia of auxiliarysubstances for pharmacy, cosmetics and related fields], 4^(th) edition,Aulendorf: ECV-Editio-Kantor-Verlag, 1996.

The following examples serve to explain the present invention withoutlimiting its scope.

The compounds were either characterized via proton-NMR ind₆-dimethylsulfoxid or d-chloroform on a 400 MHz or 500 MHz NMRinstrument (Bruker AVANCE), or by mass spectrometry, generally recordedvia HPLC-MS in a fast gradient on C18-material (electrospray-ionisation(ESI) mode), or melting point.

The magnetic nuclear resonance spectral properties (NMR) refer to thechemical shifts (δ) expressed in parts per million (ppm). The relativearea of the shifts in the ¹H NMR spectrum corresponds to the number ofhydrogen atoms for a particular functional type in the molecule. Thenature of the shift, as regards multiplicity, is indicated as singlet(s), broad singlet (s. br.), doublet (d), broad doublet (d br.), triplet(t), broad triplet (t br.), quartet (q), quintet (quint.) and multiplet(m).

I. Preparation of the Intermediate Compounds II

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 14-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicAcid tert-butyl Ester

1.1 1-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine

63 mL of 5 M sulphuric acid were dropwise added to 60 g of commerciallyavailable 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazine (312 mmol) within 30 minutes at0° C., followed by the addition of 306 mL of concentr ated sulphuricacid. The mixture was stirred for 90 minutes. Then 25.2 g of potassiumnitrate (249.65 mmol) were added in portions within 1 h. After stirringfor 3 h, another 3.16 g of potassium nitrate (31.2 mmol) were added.When the reaction was complete, the mixture was poured onto 1 kg of icewater and the pH was adjusted to pH 12 with aqueous sodium hydroxide.300 mL of water were added, the aqueous phase was extracted three timeswith 300 mL of ethyl acetate each. The organic phases were combined,dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporatedunder reduced pressure to yield 48.7 g of crude product. This materialwas dissolved in a small amount of diethyl ether. Crystallizationstarted upon scratching the glass surface. The residue was filtered,washed with cold diethyl ether, and dried to yield 34.2 g of the titlecompound.

ESI-MS:238.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.15 (d,1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.0 (m, 4H), 285 (m, 4H), 0.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s,broad, 2H), 7.5-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF₂), 6.85(d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m, 4H), 3.1 (m,4H).

1.2 4-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic Acid tert-butylEster

To a solution of 20 g of 1-(2-methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine (84.29mmol) in 300 ml of tetrahydrofurane, 9.3 g of di-tert.-butyldicarbonate(88.51 mmol) were added dropwise at room temperature. After stirring for16 h, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in 250 mLof ethyl acetate. The solution was washed twice with 150 mL water each.The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 33.1 g of thetitle compound as a yellowish oil that crystallizes upon standing.

ESI-MS:338.1 [M+H]⁺

1.3 4-(5-Amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic Acid tert-butylEster

33 g of 4-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester (97.8 mmol) were dissolved in 450 mL of methanol. 3 gof 10% Pd/C were added at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere,and the reaction mixture was hydrogenated for 4 h. The reaction mixturewas filtered over Celite, the was solvent evaporated and the remainingresidue was treated with 100 mL of diisopropylether. Oncecrystallization started, the solvent was removed under reduced pressureand the remaining product dried thoroughly. This material was used insubsequent steps without further purification.

ESI-MS:308.4 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.15 (d,1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.0 (m, 4H), 285 (m, 4H), 0.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s,broad, 2H), 7.5-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF₂), 6.85(d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m, 4H), 3.1 (m,4H).

1.44-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicAcid tert-butyl Ester

0.745 g of 4-(5-Amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester (2.423 mmol) were dissolved in 35 ml of pyridine. 0.588g of 3-(difluoromethoxy)-benzene-sulfonylchloride were added dropwiseand the reaction mixture was stirred for 72 h at room temperature. Thesolvent was evaporated, the residue was dissolved in 40 mldichloromethane and the organic phase was washed twice with 30 mlaqueous saturated ammonium chloride. The organic phase was dried overmagnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated underreduced pressure. The crude product was purified three times via silicagel chromatography using dichloromethane-methanol, anddichloromethane-ethyl acetate as eluent. 0.94 g of the title compoundwere isolated.

ESI-MS:514.2 [M+H]⁺

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 24-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicAcid tert-butyl Ester

To a suspension of 0.015 g (0.374 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% inparaffin oil) in 2 mL of dimethylformamide 0.16 g of4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (0.311 mmol) from preparation example 1 were addedat room temperature. After stirring for 30 minutes at 60° C., a solutionof 0.053 g methyliodide (0.374 mmol) in 1 mL dimethylformamide wereadded dropwise. Stirring was continued for 16 h at room temperaturebefore the solvent was evaporated. Then, 15 mL of water were added, andthe aqueous phase was extracted twice with 10 mL of ethyl acetate each.The organic phases were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate,filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield0.156 g of crude title product which was further purified via silica gelchromatography.

ESI-MS: 528.2 [M+H]⁺

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 34-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicAcid tert-butyl Ester

3.1 4-(5-N itro-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic Acidtert-butyl Ester

A mixture of 0.048 g palladium(II)-acetate (0.214 mmol) and 0.133 gBINAP (0.214 mmol) in 7 mL toluene was heated to 60° C., stirred for 10min. and the obtained suspension was added dropwise to a solution of0.51 g 2-bromo-4-nitro-1-(trifluoromethoxy)benzene (1.783 mmol), 0.343 gtert.butyl-piperazine-1-carboxylate (1.842 mmol) and 0.232 g sodiumtert-butoxide (2.414 mmol) in 8 mL of toluene. The thus obtainedreaction mixture was treated at 130° C. for 1.5 h in a commercialmicrowave oven. The organic layer was washed with water, the aqueousphase was extracted with dichloromethane and the combined organic layerswere extracted with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried over sodiumsulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reducedpressure. The crude product was further purified via silica gelchromatography using a ISCO Companion system (eluent cyclohexane-ethylacetate 5-25%) to yield 0.413 g of product.

ESI-MS:336.0 (−tBu) [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.15 (d,1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.0 (m, 4H), 285 (m, 4H), 0.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s,broad, 2H), 7.5-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF₂), 6.85(d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m, 4H), 3.1 (m,4H).

3.2 4-(5-Amino-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic Acidtert-butyl Ester

0.41 g of 4-(5-Nitro-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (1.055 mmol) were dissolved in 10 mL ethyl acetateand 10 mL acetic acid. 0.12 g 10% Palladium/charcoal were added and themixture hydrogenated for 3 h at room temperature. The catalyst wasfiltered over Celite, washed with ethyl acetate and the combinedfiltrates evaporated to dryness. The residue was treated with water, thepH adjusted to 9-10 with 1 N aquous sodium hydroxide and the aquousphase extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organicextracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solventevaporated under reduced pressure to yield 0.372 g of the product.

ESI-MS:362.1 [M+H]⁺

3.34-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicAcid tert-butyl Ester

0.22 g of the product were obtained following the synthesis of4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester. In the final purification step via silica gelchromatography, cyclohexane-ethyl acetate (10-35%) was used as eluent.

ESI-MS:512.0 (−tBu) [M+H]+

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 44-{5-[(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicAcid tert-butyl Ester

The compound was prepared as described in preparation example 1 from4-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester and reaction with commercially available(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonylchloride.

ESI-MS:528.2 [M+H]⁺

II. Preparation of the Compounds I

EXAMPLE 13-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

0.17 g of4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (0.331 mmol) from preparation example 1 weretreated with 1 ml of 5 N HCl in isopropanol for 3 h at 35° C. Thesolvent was evaporated and 5 mL of diethyl ether were added. The productstarted to crystallize upon scratching the glass surface. The solventwas evaporated and the solid dried thoroughly at room temperature toyield 0.125 g of title compound.

ESI-MS:414.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s, broad, 2H),7.5-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF₂), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.7(d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m, 4H), 3.1 (m, 4H).

EXAMPLE 23-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-N-methyl-benzene-sulfonamideHydrochloride

0.3 g (0.584 mmol)4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester from preparation example 2 were dissolved in 8 mLof ethanol and 0.8 mL of 5 N HCl in isopropanol were added. Afterstirring for 16 h at room temperature, the solvent was evaporated toyield 0.255 g of title compound.

ESI-MS:428.5 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 9.3-9.5 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (m, 1H),7.55 (m, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF₂), 7.2 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H),6.7 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.0-3.2 (11H).

EXAMPLE 34-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide

0.18 mL of 4-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonyl chloride (1.13 mmol) wereadded to a solution of 0.25 g of (1.13 mmol)4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenylamine in 10 mL of pyridine.The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 h at room temperature. Thesolvent was evaporated at reduced pressure. After addition of tolueneand dichloromethane the mixture was again evaporated twice. The thusobtained residue was partitioned between dichloromethane and 5% aqueousammoniumchloride. The organic phase was washed with saturated aqueoussodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained crudeproduct was further purified via HPLC to yield 0.395 g of the desiredtitle compound.

ESI-MS:428.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.7 (d, 2H), 7.15 (d, 2H), 6.85 (d, 1H),6.75 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H), 6.6 (t, 1H, CHF₂), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H),3.6 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 2 h), 3.0-3.15 (M, 4 h), 2.85 (S, 3H).

EXAMPLE 4 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic Acid(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide Hydrochloride

The title compound was prepared by treatment of4-{5-[(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester with HCl in ether and dichloromethane as solvent.

ESI-MS:428.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (MeOD, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (t, 1H),7.0 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.5 (m, 4H), 3.35(m, 4H).

EXAMPLE 5 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic Acid[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-amide

285 mg of the product were obtained by reaction of2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride withformaldehyde, sodium triacetoxyborohydride and sodium sulphate indichloromethane.

ESI-MS:442.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.35 (d, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.1 (t, 1H),6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 2.95 (broad, 4H),2.75 (broad, 4H), 2.5 (s, 3H).

EXAMPLE 63-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide

0.22 g4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (0.388 mmol) were dissolved in 5 mldichloromethane. 1.5 mL 6 N hydrochlorid acid in isopropanol were addedand the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2.5 h. Thesolvents were evaporated, the residue was dissolved in water and the pHwas adjusted to 8-9 with 1 N aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.Thereby a white suspension formed, which was extracted once with amixture of ethyl acetate and dichloromethane. The still existentsuspensions were filtered, and the combined organic filtrates were driedover sodium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated underreduced pressure to yield 0.140 g of the desired product.

ESI-MS:468.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H),7.3 (t, 1H, CHF₂), 7.1 (d, 1H), 6.75 (s, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 2.8 (m,broad, 8H).

EXAMPLE 72-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-4-difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideTrifluoroacetate

The compound was prepared starting from commercially available2-bromo-4-nitrophenol, which was reacted with2-chloro-2,2-difluoroacetophenone (J. Hu et al., J. Org. Chem., 2006,71, 9845) to yield 2-bromo-1-difluoromethoxy-4-nitro-benzene. SubsequentBuchwald-Hartwig coupling of 2-bromo-1-difluoromethoxy-4-nitro-benzenewith tert.butyloxycarbonyl-piperazine by analogy to preparation example3.1, reduction of the nitro group to the corresponding aniline byanalogy to preparation example 3.2, subsequent coupling withcommercially available 2-difluoromethoxybenzene-sulfonylchloride byanalogy to preparation example 1.4, and final deprotection under acidicconditions by analogy to example 1 yielded the title compound.

ESI-MS:450.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.4 (s, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad, 2H), 7.9(d, 1H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H), 7.0 (t, 1H), 7.0 (d,1H), 6.8 (s, 1H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 3.2 (broad, 4H), 3.0 (broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 85-Difluoromethoxy-2-methoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzene-sulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester with commercially available5-difluoromethoxy-2-methoxybenzenesulfonylchloride followed bydeprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS:444.1 [M+H]⁺

EXAMPLE 93-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-fluoro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 7, starting fromcommercially available 1-bromo-3-fluoro-2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzene, whichwas reacted with tert.butyloxycarbonyl-piperazine by analogy topreparation example 3.1 top yield1-(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzene. Reduction ofthe nitro group to the corresponding aniline by analogy to preparationexample 3.2, subsequent coupling with commercially available3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonylchloride by analogy to preparationexample 1.4, and final deprotection of the tert.-butoxycarbonyl groupunder acidic conditions by analogy to example 1 yielded the titlecompound.

ESI-MS:432.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.6 (s, 1H), 9.6 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7(m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.6 (s,1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 8H).

EXAMPLE 10 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid(3-fluoro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide Hydrochloride

The compound was prepared as described for Example 9 using commerciallyavailable 2,2-difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl chloride instead of3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonylchloride.

ESI-MS:446.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.8 (s, broad, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad,2H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 6.6 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s 1H),3.75 (s, 3H), 3.3 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 113-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 9, starting fromcommercially available 2-bromo-1-(2-fluoroethoxy)-4-nitrobenzene, whichwas reacted with tert.butyl-oxycarbonyl-piperazine. Subsequent reductionof the nitro group to the corresponding aniline compound1-(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-2-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5-aminobenzene. Subsequentcoupling of the aniline with commercially available 3-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonylchloride, and final deprotection of thetert.-butoxycarbonyl group under acidic conditions yielded the titlecompound.

ESI-MS:446.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.1 (s, broad, 1H), 8.6 (s, broad,2H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H),6.6 (m, 1H), 4.8 (m, 1H), 4.7 (m, 1H), 4.2 (m, 1H), 4.1 (m, 1H), 3.2 (s,broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 12 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid(4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide Hydrochloride

The compound was prepared as described for Example 9 using commerciallyavailable 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl chloride and1-(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-2-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5-aminobenzene from Example11.

ESI-MS:460.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.4 (s, 1H), 8.6 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7(d, 1H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 7.36 (m, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (s, 1H), 6.6 (d,1H), 4.8 (m, 1H), 4.7 (m, 1H), 4.2 (m, 1H), 4.1 (m, 1H), 3.2 (s, broad,4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 133-Difluoromethoxy-4-methoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester and commercially available 3-difluoromethoxy-4-methoxy benzenesulfonylchloride, followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS:444.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 9.9 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6(d, 1H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 7.1 (s, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (m,2H), 3.9 (s, 3H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 142-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideTrifluoroacetate

The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester with commercially available 2-difluoromethoxy benzenesulfonylchloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS:414.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.0 (s, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad, 2H), 7.8(d, 1H), 7.65 (t, 1H), 7.3-7.4 (m, 2H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7(m, 2H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.0 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 154-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester with commercially available 4-difluoromethoxy benzenesulfonylchloride followed by deprotection.

ESI-MS:414.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.0 (s, 1H), 8.95 (s, broad, 2H),7.75 (d, 2H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (d, 2H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.65 (m, 2H), 3.7(s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.05 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 163-Difluoromethoxy-N-ethyl-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by analogy to the methods described forPreparation Example 2 and Examples 1 and 5 from4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl)-amino]-2-methoxyphenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, which was reacted with sodium hydride andethylbromide to yield4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-ethyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, which was deprotected and subsequently subjectedto reductive amination with aqueous formaldehyde and sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride as described for example 5 to yield the titlecompound.

ESI-MS:456.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 11.3 (s, broad, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 7.55(m, 1H), 7.45 (m, 2H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.4 (s,1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 2H), 3.4 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 2H), 3.15 (m, 2H),2.9 (m, 2H), 2.75 (d, 3H), 0.95 (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 173-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by analogy to the methods described forPreparation Example 2 and Example 1 from4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl)-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, which was reacted with sodium hydride and3-fluoro-1-bromopropane to yield4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-(3-fluoropropyl)amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, which was deprotected to yield the titlecompound.

ESI-MS:474.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 9.3 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.5(d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d,1H), 6.4 (s, 1H), 4.5 (t, 1H), 4.4 (t, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.65 (t, 2H),3.15 (s, broad, 4H), 3.05 (s, broad, 4H), 1.75 (m, 1H), 1.7 (m, 1H).

EXAMPLE 183-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-N-propyl-benzene-sulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by analogy to the methods described forPreparation Example 2 and Example 1 from4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl)-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, which was reacted with sodium hydride and1-bromopropane to yield4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-propylamino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, which was deprotected to yield the titlecompound.

ESI-MS:456.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 9.4 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.5(d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d,1H), 6.4 (s, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.45 (m, 2H), 3.15 (m, 4H), 3.05 (m, 4H),1.3 (m, 2H), 0.8 (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 19N-(2-Chloro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-3-difluoromethoxy-benzene-sulfonamideTrifluoroacetate

The compound was prepared by reaction ofN-(4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonamidehydrochloride with 3 equivalents of iodine monochloride.

ESI-MS:448.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.0 (s, 1H), 9.0 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6(t, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 6.95 (s,1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.2 (broad, 4H), 3.0 (broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 203-Difluoromethoxy-N-[3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by reaction of3-difluoromethoxy-N-[3-(piperazin-1-yl)-4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl]-benzenesulfonamide(compound of Example 6) with aqueous formaldehyde and sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride as described for Example 5.

ESI-MS:482.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 11.2 (broad, 1H), 10.8 (broad, 1H),7.65 (m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 7.2 (m, 1H), 6.9(s, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 3.0-3.4 (broad, 8H), 2.8 (s, 3H).

EXAMPLE 21 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-methyl-amideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by reaction of2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid[4-methoxy-3-(4-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-methyl-amide hydrochloride(compound of example 23) with aqueous formaldehyde and sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride as described for Example 5.

ESI-MS:456.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 11.2 (broad, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.4 (t,1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H),3.2 (s, 3H), 3.1-3.5 (broad, 8H), 2.75 (s, 3H).

EXAMPLE 22 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acidethyl-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide Hydrochloride

The compound was prepared by reaction of4-{5-[(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester with sodium hydride and ethylbromide, andsubsequent deprotection of the tert.butoxycarbonyl group withhydrochlorid acid in isopropanol.

ESI-MS:456.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 9.5 (s, broad, 2H), 7.75 (d, 1H), 7.4(t, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s,3H), 3.65 (m, 2H), 3.15 (broad, 4H), 3.05 (broad, 4H), 1.0 (t, 3H).

EXAMPLE 23 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acidmethyl-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide Hydrochloride

The compound was prepared by reaction of4-{5-[(2,2-difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester with sodium hydride and methyliodide by analogy toPreparation Example 3, and subsequent deprotection of thetert.butoxycarbonyl group with hydrochloric acid in isopropanol.

ESI-MS:442.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 9.5 (s, broad, 2H), 7.75 (d, 1H), 7.4(t, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s,3H), 3.2 (s, 3H), 3.15 (broad, 4H), 3.1 (broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 243-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by reaction of3-difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride (compound of example 2) with aqueous formaldehyde andsodium triacetoxyborohydride as described for example 5.

ESI-MS:442.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 11.3 (s, broad, 1H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.6(d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 7.25 (m, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s,1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.3-3.5 (m, 4H), 3.1-3.2 (m, 2H), 3.1 (s, 3H), 2.9 (m,2H), 2.75 (d, 3H).

EXAMPLE 253-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide

The compound was prepared by reaction of3-difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamidehydrochloride (compound of example 1) with aqueous formaldehyde andsodium triacetoxyborohydride as described for example 5.

ESI-MS:428.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 9.9 (s, broad, 1H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.55(m, 1H), 7.45 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s,1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 2.8 (broad, 4H), 2.4 (broad, 4H), 2.2 (s, 3H).

EXAMPLE 263-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-fluoro-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 9, starting fromcommercially available 2-bromo-1-fluoro-4-nitrobenzene, which wasreacted with tert.butyl-oxycarbonyl-piperazine. Subsequent reduction ofthe nitro group to the corresponding aniline compound1-(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-2-fluoro-5-aminobenzene. Subsequent coupling ofthe aniline with commercially available 3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonylchloride, and final deprotection of the tert.-butoxycarbonylgroup under acidic conditions yielded the title compound.

ESI-MS:402.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.4 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6(m, 2H), 7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d,1H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 27 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid(4-fluoro-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide Hydrochloride

The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 26 using commerciallyavailable 2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonylchloride instead of3-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonylchloride.

ESI-MS:416.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.7 (s, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7(d, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d,1H), 3.3 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 283-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideHydrochloride

The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of4-(5-aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester withcommercially available 3-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonylchloridefollowed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS:384.2 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.3 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6(m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.7 (m,2H), 6.6 (d, 1H), 3.24 (s, broad, 4H), 3.18 (s, broad, 4H).

EXAMPLE 29 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide Hydrochloride

The compound was prepared as described for Example 28 by reaction of4-(5-aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester withcommercially available 2,2-Difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl chloridefollowed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS:398.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 10.7 (s, 1H), 9.0 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7(d, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.7 (m, 2H), 6.6 (d,1H), 3.2 (broad, 8H).

EXAMPLE 302-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideTrifluoroacetate

The compound was prepared as described for Example 28 by reaction of4-(5-aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester withcommercially available 2-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloridefollowed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS:384.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.3 (m, 2H),7.26 (m, 1H), 6.9 (m, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.45 (m, 2H), 2.9 (m, 4H), 2.8(m, 4H).

EXAMPLE 313-Difluoromethoxy-4-methoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamideTrifluoroacetate

The compound was prepared as described for Example 28 by reaction of4-(5-aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester withcommercially available 3-Difluoromethoxy-4-methoxyphenylsulfonylchloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS:414.1 [M+H]⁺

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 Hz): δ [ppm] 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.25 (m,1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.9 (m, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.4 (m, 2H), 3.9 (s, 3H),2.9 (s, broad, 4H), 2.75 (s, broad, 4H).

III. Biological Investigations

Displacement of radioligands binding to the following cloned humanreceptors

1. Preparation of Membranes by Ultrasonic Treatment and DifferentialCentrifugation

Cells from stable clonal cell lines expressing the correspondingreceptor (5-HT₆, α₁-adrenergic, dopamine D₂ or histamine H₁ receptors)were washed with PBS (w/o Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺) and harvested in PBS with 0.02%EDTA. The cells were collected by centrifugation at 500 g for 10 min. at4° C., washed with PBS and centrifuged (500 g, 10 min. 4° C.). Thepellets were stored at −80° C. until use. F or membrane preparation, thethawed cell pellet was resuspended in ice-cold sucrose buffer (0.25 Msucrose, 10 mM Hepes (pH 7.4), 1 mM Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF)in DMSO, 5 μg/ml Pepstatin-A, 3 mM EDTA, 0.025% Bacitracin) andhomogenized with a Branson Sonifier W-250 (Settings: Timer 4; OutputControl 3; Duty Cycle constant; 2 to 3 cycles). Cell disruption waschecked with the aid of a microscope. Remaining unbroken cells werepelleted at 1.000 g for 10 min. at 4° C. The sucrose buffer supernatantwas then centrifuged at 60.000 g for 1 h at 4° C. (BeckmanUltrazentrifuge XL 80). The pellet was resuspended in 30 ml ice-coldTris buffer (20 mM TRIS (pH 7.4), 5 μg/ml Pepstatin A, 0.1 mM PMSF, 3 mMEDTA) by pipetting through a 10 ml serological pipet and centrifuged for1 h at 4° C. at 60.000 g. A final resuspension was performed in a smallvolume of ice-cold Tris buffer (see above) by pressing through aserological pipet followed by ultrasonic treatment with a BransonSonifier W-250 (Settings: Timer 1; Output Control 3; Duty Cycleconstant; 1 cycle). Protein concentration was determined (BCA-Kit;Pierce) and aliquots stored at −80° C. or in liquid nitrogen forlong-term storage.

2. Receptor Binding Experiments

All receptor binding experiments were carried out in the correspondingassay buffer in a total volume of 200 μl in the presence of variousconcentrations of test compound (10⁻⁵ M to 10⁻⁹ M, tenfold serialdilution, duplicate determinations). The assays were terminated byfiltration on polyethylenimine (PEI 0.1% or 0.3%) presoaked PackardUnifilter Plates (GF/C or GF/B) with a Tomtec Machill U 96 well-plateharvester. After the plates had been dried for 2 h at 55° C. in a dryingchamber scin tillation cocktail (BetaPlate Scint; PerkinElmer) wasadded. Radioactivity was measured in a Microbeta Trilux two hours afterthe addition of the scintillation mixture. Data derived from liquidscintillation counting were analysed by iterative non-linear regressionanalysis with the use of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS): aprogram similar to “LIGAND” as described by Munson and Rodbard(Analytical Biochemistry 107, 220-239 (1980).

a) 5-HT₆ Receptor Binding Assay

HEK293 cells stably expressing the h-5-HT₆ receptor (NCBI ReferenceSequence XM 001435) were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with25 mM HEPES, 10% fetal calf serum and 1-2 mM glutamine. The membranepreparation was performed as described in section 1. For these membranesa K_(D) of 1.95 nM for [³H]-LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Amersham,TRK1038) was determined by means of saturation binding experiments. Onthe day of the assay, the membranes were thawed, diluted in assay buffer(50 mM Tris-HCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, 0.1% ascorbic acid, 10 μM pargyline, pH7.4) to a concentration of 8 μg protein/assay and homogenized by gentlevortexing For inhibition studies, 1 nM [³H]-Lysergic Acid Diethylamidewas incubated in the presence of various concentrations of test compoundin assay buffer. Non-specific binding was defined with 1 μMmethiothepin. The binding reaction was carried out for 3.5 h at roomtemperature. During the incubation, the plates were shaken on a plateshaker at 100 rpm and terminated by filtration on Packard Unifilter GF/C(0.1% PEI) plates, followed by 2 wash cycles with ice-cold 50 mMTris-HCl, 5 mM CaCl₂.

a) Dopamine D₂ Receptor Binding Assay

HEK293 cells stably expressing the dopamine D₂ receptor (NCBI ReferenceSequence NM_(—)000795) were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplementedwith 25 mM HEPES, 10% fetal calf serum and 1-2 mM glutamine. Themembrane preparation was performed as described in section 1. For thesemembranes a K_(D) of 0.22 nM for [¹²⁵I]-iodospiperone (PerkinElmer LifeSciences, NEX284) was determined by means of saturation bindingexperiments. On the day of the assay, the membranes were thawed, dilutedin assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM KCl, 1.5mM CaCl₂, pH 7.4) to a concentration of 15 μg protein/assay andhomogenized by gentle vortexing. For inhibition studies, 0.01 nM[¹²⁵I]-iodospiperone (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NEX284) was incubatedin the presence of various concentrations of test compound in assaybuffer. Non-specific binding was defined with 1 μM haloperidol. Thebinding reaction was carried out for 1 h at room temperature andterminated by filtration on Packard Unifilter GF/B (0.1% PEI) plates,followed by 6 wash cycles with an ice-cold 7% polyethylenglycolsolution.

b) α₁-Adrenergic Receptor Binding Assay

CHO-K₁ cells stably expressing the α₁-adrenergic receptor (NCBIReference Sequence NM_(—)033303) were cultured in RPMI1640 mediumsupplemented with 25 mM HEPES, 10% fetal calf serum and 1-2 mMglutamine. The membrane preparation was performed as described insection 1. For these membranes a K_(D) of 0.12 nM for [³H]-prazosine(PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NET823) was determined by means ofsaturation binding experiments. On the day of the assay, the membraneswere thawed, diluted in assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4) to aconcentration of 4 μg protein/assay and homogenized by gentle vortexing.For inhibition studies, 0.1 nM [³H]-prazosine (PerkinElmer LifeSciences, NET823) was incubated in the presence of variousconcentrations of test compound in assay buffer. Non-specific bindingwas defined with 1 μM phentolamine. The binding reaction was carried outfor 1 h at room temperature and terminated by filtration on PackardUnifilter GF/C (0.1% PEI) plates, followed by 3 wash cycles withice-cold assay buffer.

c) H₁ Receptor Binding Assay

CHO-K₁ cells stably expressing the histamine H₁ receptor(Euroscreen-ES-390-C, NCBI Reference Sequence NM_(—)000861) werecultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, 10% fetalcalf serum and 1-2 mM glutamine. The membrane preparation was performedas described in section 1. For these membranes a K_(D) of 0.83 nM for[³H]-pyrilamine (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NET594) was determined bymeans of saturation binding experiments. On the day of the assay, themembranes were thawed, diluted in assay buffer (50 mM Na₂HPO₄, 50 mMKH₂PO₄, pH 7.4) to a concentration of 6 μg protein/assay and homogenizedby gentle vortexing. For inhibition studies, 1 nM [³H]-pyrilamine(PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NET594) was incubated in the presence ofvarious concentrations of test compound in assay buffer. Non-specificbinding was defined with 1 μM pyrilamine. The binding reaction wascarried out for 50 minutes at room temperature and terminated byfiltration on Packard Unifilter GF/C (0.3% PEI) plates, followed by 2wash cycles with ice-cold assay buffer.

3. Data Analysis

Data derived from liquid scintillation counting were analyzed byiterative non-linear regression analysis with the use of the StatisticalAnalysis System (SAS): a program similar to “LIGAND” as described byMunson and Rodbard (Anal. Biochem. 1980, 107, 220-239). Fitting wasperformed according to formulae described by Feldman (Anal. Biochem.1972, 48, 317-338). IC₅₀, nH and K_(i) values were expressed asgeometrical mean. For receptors with a low affinity for the testcompound, where the highest tested compound concentration inhibited lessthan 30% of specific radioligand binding, K_(i)-values were determinedaccording to the equation of Cheng and Prusoff (Biochem. Pharmacol.1973, 22, 2099-2108) and expressed as greater than (>).

The results of the receptor binding studies are expressed as receptorbinding constants K_(i)(5-HT₆), K_(i)(D₂), K_(i)(α₁-adrenergic) andK_(i)(H₁), respectively, as described herein before, and given in tableI.

In these tests, the compounds according to the invention exhibit verygood affinities for the 5-HT₆ receptor (K_(i)<250 nM or <50 nM or <20 nMand frequently <10 nM). Furthermore those compounds bind selectively tothe 5-HT₆ receptor, as compared to the affinity for the D₂, theα₁-adrenergic or the H₁ receptors. These compounds exhibit littleaffinities for the D₂, α₁-adrenergic or H₁ receptors (K_(i)>250 nMor >1000 nM and frequently >10000 nM).

Example 1: Ki (5HT₆)<10 nM.

Example 2: Ki (5HT₆)<20 nM.

Example 3: Ki (5HT₆)<20 nM.

Example 4: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM.

Example 6: Ki(5HT₆)<20 nM.

Example 7: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 8: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 9: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 10: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 11: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 12: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 13: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 14: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 15: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 16: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 17: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 18: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 19: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 20: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 21: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 22: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 23: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 24: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 25: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 26: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 27: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 28: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

Example 29: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 30: Ki(5HT₆)<10 nM

Example 31: Ki(5HT₆)<50 nM

3. Determination of the Metabolic Stability

The metabolic stability of the compounds of the invention was determinedin the following assay by analyzing the microsomal half-life. The testsubstances are incubated in a concentration of 0.5 μM as follows:

0.5 μM test substance is preincubated together with liver microsomes ofvarious species (0.25 mg of protein/ml) in 0.05M potassium phosphatebuffer pH 7.4 in microtiter plates at 37° C. for 5 min. The reaction isstarted by adding NADPH (1 mg/mL). Aliquots are taken after 0, 5, 10,15, 20 and 30 min, and the reaction is stopped with the same volume ofacetonitrile and cooled down. The remaining test compound concentrationsare being determined by liquid chromatography—mass spectrometryanalysis. Intrinsic clearance values are calculated using theelimination rate constant of test compound depletion.

1. Benzenesulfonanilide compounds of formulae I and I′:

wherein R¹ is hydrogen or methyl; R² is hydrogen or methyl; R³ hydrogen, fluorine, C₁-C₂ alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy; R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl or fluorinated C₁-C₄ alkyl; R⁵ is hydrogen, fluorine, C₁-C₂ alkyl, fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy; and R⁶ is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; and physiologically tolerated acid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof.
 2. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R¹ is hydrogen.
 3. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R² is hydrogen.
 4. The compounds as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein R² is methyl.
 5. The compounds as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbon atom that carries R² has S-configuration.
 6. The compounds as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbon atom that carries R² has R-configuration.
 7. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R³ is methoxy.
 8. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen or fluorine.
 9. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl.
 10. The compounds as claimed in claim 9, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen.
 11. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen.
 12. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R⁵ is methoxy or difluoromethoxy.
 13. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R⁶ is hydrogen.
 14. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are hydrogen, R³ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₂ alkoxy and fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy and R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl.
 15. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the following provisos a), b), c) or d) are met: a) R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, C₁-C₂ alkyl fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy or fluorinated C₁-C₂ alkoxy; b) R⁶ is fluorine or chlorine; c) R³ is hydrogen or fluorine; and/or d) R⁴ is C₃-C₄-alkyl or fluorinated C₁-C₄-alkyl;
 16. The compounds as claimed in claim 15, wherein R⁶ is fluorine or chlorine, which is located in the 6-position of the benzene ring.
 17. The compounds as claimed in claim 15, wherein R⁶ is fluorine or chlorine, which is located in the 5-position of the benzene ring.
 18. The compounds as claimed in any of claims 15, 16 or 17, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 19. The compounds as claimed in any of claims 15, 16 or 17, wherein R⁵ is methoxy.
 20. The compounds as claimed in claim 15, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 21. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the OCHF₂-radical in formula I is located on the benzene ring in the ortho-position with respect to the sulfonyl group.
 22. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the OCHF₂-radical in formula I is located on the benzene ring in the meta-position with respect to the sulfonyl group.
 23. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein the OCHF₂-radical in formula I is located on the benzene ring in the para-position with respect to the sulfonyl group.
 24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound as claimed in claim 1, optionally together with at least one physiologically acceptable carrier or auxiliary substance.
 25. A method for treating a medical disorder selected from diseases of the central nervous system, addiction diseases or obesity, said method comprising administering an effective amount of at least one compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23 to a subject in need thereof.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the medical disorder is a disease of the central nervous system.
 27. The method as claimed in claim 26, for treating cognitive dysfunctions.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 26, for treating cognitive dysfunctions associated with Alzheimer's disease.
 29. The method as claimed in claim 26, for treating cognitive dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia.
 30. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the medical disorder is an addiction disease.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the medical disorder is obesity. 